Boost Your 3 Mastery

By

Artur Yusupov

Quality Chess www.qualitychess.co.uk CONTENTS

Key to symbols used 4 Preface 5 Introduction 6

1 Attacking the in the centre 8 2 Realizing an advantage 20 3 Counterplay 34 4 endings 44 5 The 56 6 Hanging pawns on c3-d4 70 7 Counter-attack 82 8 against 92 9 The technique of calculating variations 100 10 The Reti Opening 110 11 The in the middlegame 122 12 Prophylactic thinking 134 13 against knight 146 14 Defence 158 15 Candidate moves 170 16 Combinational vision 180 17 The King’s 190 18 Queenside pawn majority 204 19 Central pawn majority 216 20 Pawn storms 228 21 The 240 22 The Grünfeld Defence 254 23 The elimination method 266 24 Knight against bishop 276 Final test 287 Index of composers 297 Index of games 298 Preface It was a pleasure to have Artur Yusupov working as my second, both personally and professionally. It is therefore an honour for me to write the preface to this series of books. This book was created by expanding and improving the original online lessons from the Chess Tigers University. As an honorary member of the Chess Tigers, it has given me great pleasure to see this logical follow-up take concrete form and meet the twin challenges of being both a valuable textbook and a bedside book. It was in 1994 that I met Artur Yusupov in the semi-finals of the Candidates’ cycle in Wijk aan Zee. I managed to come out ahead by 4.5–2.5, but I recognized that Artur harboured great potential, both in his chess knowledge and extensive match experience. Artur’s systematic and professional approach to analysing games was the decisive factor in having him as my second in the World Championship Finals in New York 1995 and Lausanne 1998. His mastery of the methods of the Russian chess school was very helpful in the preparation for the matches, as well as during the matches themselves. It was his idea that I should play the Trompovsky in the last game in Lausanne. I was 3-2 down, but was able to level the match at 3–3 and thus force a play-off .

I am still very grateful for everything that Artur did for me.

Artur’s vast experience as a trainer convinced him that there is a considerable need for better tuition for amateurs. Matching the level to the needs of the student is perhaps not too difficult, but the masterstroke is structuring the information in such a way that makes it immediately useful for amateurs. I am naturally enthusiastic about the rich variety of material in this series, which can help beginners become top amateurs. I wish Artur Yusupov all the best with the publication of this series of books. Making this work available in English means that even more people who are keen to learn can enjoy it to the full.

World Champion, Viswanathan Anand chapter 2 Contents Realizing an advantage ü The correct psychological attitude In this chapter we shall deal with the most important Boost ü Technique principles for realizing an advantage. (See also Your Chess 2 Ÿ Do not allow any , Chapter 20.) counterplay The correct psychological attitude Ÿ Do not hurry raise our level of Ÿ The principle of two If we have an advantage, we must concentration weaknesses . If we can solve the next problems to Ÿ Making the correct arise, then the game may come to a quick end and we exchanges will not have to make any further effort! Technique

1) Do not allow any counterplay The most important principle! You can often (but unfortunately not always) control the game when you have a better position and deprive your opponent of his final chances of becoming active. When you have the better position you don’t want to allow him any counterplay.

2) Do not hurry This principle comes into play when the opponent has no counterplay left. The first thing to do isto improve your position as much as possible (or to make your opponent’s position worse) and only then turn to making active changes in the position. If your opponent does have some ideas to improve his position, or if by chance you see an opportunity, then you have to hurry!

3) The principle of two weaknesses This is an important strategic concept. If your opponent has one weakness, then normally he will be able to protect it sufficiently well. But you can break down his defence by provoking a fresh weakness, as far away as possible from the first one. You then attack the two weaknesses turn about and the attacking side’s superior lines of communication will play a decisive role.

4) Capablanca’s principle – the correct exchanges You should retain only those pieces (or pawns!)

20 20 Realizing an advantage chapter

which you require to win the game! You should 2 try to swap off any superfluous pieces. A perfectly played positional game is finished off with a won ending. There is a rule of thumb: the side with the advantage in material strives to pieces, the side which is behind tries to swap off pawns!

The following examples will illustrate these principles of technique.

A.Yusupov – L.Christiansen Las Palmas 1993 1.d4 d6 2.e4 ¤f6 3.f3 e5 4.dxe5 After of queens White obtains a small, but safe, advantage. 4...dxe5 5.£xd8† ¢xd8 6.¥c4 ¥e6?! This exchange damages the . Diagram 2-1 r 6...¢e8!? would be better, or even 6...¢e7!? preparing 1222222223 ...¥e6 (Rivas). ÇtM L V T5 7.¥xe6 fxe6 Diagram 2-1 ÆOoO + Oo5 8.¤h3!?² Å + +oM +5 The first goal is to attack the weakness on e5. For Ä+ + O + 5 that reason, the white knight wants to go to d3. 8...¥c5 9.¤f2 ¥xf2† 10.¢xf2² Ã + +p+ +5 This exchange is also good for White, because his Â+ + +p+ 5 dark-squared bishop will be slightly stronger than the ÁpPp+ +pP5 opposing knight. 10...¤c6 ÀRnB K Nr5 10...¤bd7!? 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 11.¥e3 ¢e7 Diagram 2-2 1222222223Diagram 2-2 r 12.¤a3!? Çt+ + + T5 White retains various options for the knight: b5, c4 or (after c2-c3) the c2-square. ÆOoO L Oo5 12...a6 13.c3 ¦hd8 Å +m+oM +5 The more active 13...¦ag8!?² (…...g5) might be a Ä+ + O + 5 better attempt to create some worries for White. 14.¢e2 h6?! Ã + +p+ +5 Black is just weakening his position with pawn Â+ + Bp+ 5 moves. If 14...b5, then 15.¤c2². ÁpPp+ KpP5 15.¤c2 ¦d7 ÀRn+ + +r5 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 21 2

Positional play 1 † Diagram 2-3 r Diagram 2-3

chapter 1222222223 The main problem in the position is the question Çt+ + + +5 of exchanging. What shall we do with the : Æ+oOtL O 5 should we exchange all the rooks on it, should we Åo+m+oM O5 avoid exchanges or should we exchange only one pair of rooks? Ä+ + O + 5 16.¦hd1 Ã + +p+ +5 The correct answer is to exchange one pair of rooks, Â+ P Bp+ 5 in order to reduce any possible counterplay. White needs to keep one rook to prepare his own active ÁpPn+k+pP5 operations. ÀR + + +r5 16...¦ad8 If 16...¦xd1 17.¦xd1 ¦d8, then 18.¦g1!² is 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 correct. 17.¦xd7† ¦xd7 17...¤xd7!? 18.¤e1! White regroups his pieces in order to attack the e5-pawn. In doing so, White wants to tie the black Diagram 2-4 r 1222222223 knight down on c6, where it is not so well placed and Ç + + + +5 where it can later become a target (after b4, a4 and b4-b5). Æ+oOtL O 5 18...¤e8 Åo+mMo+ O5 18...¤d8? 19.¤d3 ¤f7 20.¤c5± Ä+ + O + 5 19.¤d3 ¤d6 Diagram 2-4 Ã + +p+ +5 20.¥f2! Â+ PnBp+ 5 The position of the bishop is also improved; it goes ÁpP +k+pP5 to g3, to exert even more pressure on e5. 20...b6?! ÀR + + + 5 Black wants to protect the c5-square, but once more 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 he weakens his own position with the pawn move. 21.¥g3 ¤f7 1222222223Diagram 2-5 r Better is 21...¢f6. Ç + + + +5 22.a4 a5 White needs a second weakness to attack. It now Æ+ OtLmO 5 makes sense to play on the queenside. Å Om+o+ O5 Diagram 2-5 ÄO + O + 5 23.¦c1!± Intending b2-b4. Before undertaking any active Ãp+ +p+ +5 operations, White first improves his position as much Â+ Pn+pB 5 as possible. After 24.b4 the rook will be very well placed here. Á P +k+pP5 The over-hasty 23.b4? gives the opponent ÀR + + + 5 counterplay: 23...axb4 24.cxb4 ¤d4† 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 22 Realizing an advantage chapter

23...¢f6 24.b4 ¦d8 2 24...axb4 25.cxb4 ¤d4† is no longer dangerous; after 26.¢e3 c6 27.a5 White is clearly better. For Diagram 2-6 r example: 27...bxa5 28.bxa5 ¦a7 29.¤xe5! ¤xe5 1222222223 30.¥xe5† ¢xe5 31.¦c5†+– Ç + T + +5 25.b5 ¤e7 Diagram 2-6 Æ+ O MmO 5 26.¥f2! Å O +oL O5 Preparing c4-c5. Once more White must pay ÄOp+ O + 5 attention. The immediate 26.c4 allows counter- chances after 26...c5! 27.bxc6 ¤xc6. Ãp+ +p+ +5 26...¦b8 Â+ Pn+pB 5 After 26...¦c8 White continues 27.c4 c5 28.bxc6 Á + +k+pP5 ¦xc6 29.c5 bxc5 30.¦xc5 ¦xc5 31.¤xc5 ¤c6 32.¤b7+– and Black cannot protect the a5-pawn À+ R + + 5 often enough. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 27.c4 c5 Diagram 2-7 1222222223Diagram 2-7 r 28.¤xc5?! The on c5 is very tempting. Unfortunately Ç T + + +5 White spotted his opponent’s defensive idea too late Æ+ + MmO 5 and gave up the wrong piece. 28.¥xc5! would have Å O +oL O5 been even better: 28...bxc5 29.¤xc5+– 28...bxc5 29.¥xc5 ¤d8!? ÄOpO O + 5 There is no hope after 29...¦c8 30.¥b6 ¤d6 Ãp+p+p+ +5 31.c5+–. Â+ +n+p+ 5 29...¦b7 is simply met by 30.¥a3±. 30.¥d6 ¦b7 31.¦d1! Á + +kBpP5 It was only here that I understood that Black wants À+ R + + 5 to return the piece. 31.c5?! is answered by 31...¤ec6÷, 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 and the white bishop on d6 finds itself offside. 31...¤dc6!? 32.bxc6 ¤xc6 33.¥c5 Now the bishop can join the play again. But the mistake on move 28 has given Black good defensive 1222222223Diagram 2-8 r chances. Ç + + + +5 33...¦b2† 34.¦d2 ¦b3 35.¦d6 ¤e7? Black misses his chance. 35...¤d4†!? is correct: Æ+ + + O 5 36.¥xd4 exd4 37.¦xd4 (37.¦a6!?±) 37...¦b4± Å B RoLmO5 36.¥b6 ¤g6 Diagram 2-8 ÄO + O + 5 37.¥xa5 Ãp+p+p+ +5 White calculated a long variation and decided Â+t+ +p+ 5 to force matters. His passed pawns will be too dangerous. After the technical 37.g3!? Black could Á + +k+pP5 still reply 37...¦b4. À+ + + + 5 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 23 2

Positional play 1 † 37...¤f4† 38.¢d2 ¤xg2 39.c5 ¤e3 40.¥d8† ¢f7 chapter 41.¦d3!+– ¤c4† 42.¢c2 ¦b8 The point is 42...¦xd3 43.¢xd3 ¤b2† 44.¢c2 ¤xa4 45.¥b6!+– and White forces a won pawn ending. 43.c6 ¢e8 44.c7 ¦a8 1222222223Diagram 2-9 r Diagram 2-9 45.¦c3 Çt+ Bl+ +5 Just before the winning post White begins to lose Æ+ P + O 5 his concentration. Fortunately he was not punished Å + +o+ O5 for it in the game: his opponent’s resistance was already broken. Ä+ + O + 5 45.¢c3! would be better: 45...¤b6 46.¢b4+– Ãp+m+p+ +5 45...¤b6 46.a5 Â+ +r+p+ 5 Nor is this move the best. 46.¦b3! is correct: 46...¤d7 47.a5+– Á +k+ + P5 46...¦xa5 À+ + + + 5 Or 46...¤c8 47.¦c5+–. 47.c8£ 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 Black resigned, slightly prematurely. After 47...¦a2† I would still have had to find the variation 48.¢b3 ¤xc8 49.¦xc8 ¦xh2 50.¥f6† ¢d7 51.¥xe5+–. 1222222223Diagram 2-10 r Diagram 2-10 Ç T + + +5 A.Yusupov – J.Hall Æ+tL MmO 5 Bundesliga 1999 ÅrO O O O5 White is better. He controls the a-file and has an advantage in space. Black has the b6-pawn as a Ä+pOpO +p5 weakness, but it is hard to attack and relatively easy à + +p+p+5 to defend. Despite that, it is worth first forcing your Â+ P BpN 5 opponent onto the defensive and tying down some of his pieces. Á + + +k+5 46.¤f1! ÀR + + + 5 Planning ¤d2-c4, so as to put further pressure 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 on b6. 46...¦e8 47.¤d2 ¤c8 48.¤c4 ¦f8 In order to make progress, White must undertake something on the kingside (the principle of two weaknesses). Since Black has absolutely no counterplay, White manoeuvres for quite a long time, aiming to first bring his pieces to their optimal positions. These waiting tactics are rather unpleasant for his opponent. 49.¥d2 ¦e8 50.¢g3 ¦d8 51.¦a8 ¦b8 52.¦8a4

24 Realizing an advantage chapter

White is still not sure whether he wants to exchange 2 the rooks. 52...¦b7 Diagram 2-11 1222222223Diagram 2-11 r 53.f4! There is no way to make progress without this Ç +mT + +5 breakthrough. 53.¤e3 achieves nothing after Æ+tL +mO 5 53...¤e7. Å O O O O5 53...¦e8 Also after 53...exf4†!? 54.¥xf4 ¦e8 55.¢f3 ¤e5† Ä+pOpO +p5 (or 55...¤g5† 56.¥xg5 fxg5 57.¤e3±) 56.¥xe5 dxe5 Ãr+n+p+p+5 57.¦a8± the position remains very unpleasant for Â+ P +pK 5 Black. 54.¢f3 ¦f8 55.¦a8 ¦b8 56.¦8a6 ¦b7 57.¢e2 Á + B + +5 The waiting game continues. ÀR + + + 5 57...¦e8 58.¢d3 ¦h8 59.¥e3 ¦e8 60.¦a8 ¦b8 61.¦8a2 ¦b7 62.¦a6 ¦h8 63.¥d2 ¦f8 64.¦a8 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 ¦b8 Diagram 2-12 r Diagram 2-12 1222222223 Having gained some time for thought, White now ÇrTm+ T +5 realized that he could profit from the black rook Æ+ L +mO 5 having left its position on h8. After 64...¦h8!? there follows 65.¦1a6!?± and the Å O O O O5 black pieces are even more tied down. Not so good Ä+pOpO +p5 is 65.fxe5 ¤xe5† 66.¤xe5 dxe5 with a solid position à +n+pPp+5 for Black. 65.¦xb8 Â+ Pk+ + 5 White exchanges the superfluous rook. One rook Á + B + +5 is all he needs for his active play (as in the previous ÀR + + + 5 game). In addition he obtains better possibilities of activating his king. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 65...¢xb8 Diagram 2-13 r Diagram 2-13 1222222223 66.g5! Ç Lm+ T +5 The principle of two weaknesses. 66...fxg5 Æ+ + +mO 5 66...exf4 67.gxf6 gxf6 68.¥xf4 ¤e5† 69.¥xe5 fxe5 Å O O O O5 70.¦g1 ¦f3† 71.¢d2 ¦h3 72.¦g6 ¦xh5 73.¤xd6 Ä+pOpO +p5 ¤xd6 74.¦xd6± is also to White’s advantage. 67.fxg5 ¤xg5 68.¥xg5 hxg5 69.¦g1 ¦h8 70.¦xg5 à +n+pPp+5 ¦h7 Â+ Pk+ + 5 The result of the operation is very pleasing for Á + B + +5 White. Black has a clear second weakness on g7, the white king can now come quickly into play, and the ÀR + + + 5 d6-pawn also becomes a serious target. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9

25 2

Positional play 1 † 71.¢e2!? chapter 71.¤e3 ¤e7 72.¤f5 ¤xf5 73.exf5 ¢c7 74.¢e4 ¢d7 75.¦g6 ¢e7± would be less clear. 71...¢c7 72.¢f3 ¤e7 72...¤a7 73.¤a3± does not change the situation. 73.¢g4 Black is in and has to abandon his defensive line. 73...g6!? Black sets a final trap. 73...¤g8 74.¢f5 ¤f6 75.¢g6 ¤xe4 76.¢xh7 ¤xg5† 77.¢xg7 ¢d7 78.h6+– is hopeless. 1222222223Diagram 2-14 r 74.hxg6 ¦h1 Diagram 2-14 Ç + + + +5 75.¢f3! Æ+ L M + 5 Mistakes are always possible. 75.g7? is met by Å O O +p+5 75...¦g1†=, resulting in a repetition of moves. 75...¦h3† 76.¢f2 ¦xc3 77.¤e3+– Ä+pOpO R 5 The g-pawn is too strong. à +n+p+k+5 77...¦a3 78.g7 ¦a8 79.¤f5 ¤g8 80.¦g6 Â+ P + + 5 The second weakness – the d6-pawn – is also attacked. Á + + + +5 80...¦d8 81.¢f3 ¦d7 82.¢g4 À+ + + +t5 The threat is 83.¢h5 and then 84.¤h6. Black tries to obtain counterplay. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 82...c4 Diagram 2-15 r Diagram 2-15 1222222223 83.¢f3! Ç + + +m+5 The simplest solution. White’s king will simply take Æ+ Lt+ P 5 this pawn first, before returning to the kingside. Å O O +r+5 1–0 Ä+p+pOn+ 5 When you do the exercises, always bear in mind the à +o+p+k+5 principles of technique. Â+ + + + 5 Á + + + +5 À+ + + + 5 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9

26 chapter 12 Contents Prophylactic thinking ü “What does my opponent want to do?” Prophylactic thinking is one of the most important ü Prophylactic solutions themes in the positional game. Chess players often ü When we should employ forget that they are not alone at the board, and that prophylaxis they must also take into account their opponent’s plans. The habit of always asking yourself what your opponent wants to do, of answering the question correctly and taking into account the information you have gained, is prophylactic thinking. Prophylactic thinking is for me a philosophy of the chess struggle, which embodies due respect to one’s opponent. Prophylactic thinking often helps not only to find the opponent’s ideas, but also to work out the solution to the position. A move which simultaneously improves our own position and blocks our opponent’s plans is usually the optimal solution. Prophylactic moves are stronger than purely defensive moves because they improve your own position. Prophylactic moves are also stronger than mere improvements to your own position, because they also hinder your opponent’s game.

There is another important psychological factor in prophylactic thinking which I wish to emphasize: it is extraordinarily difficult to battle against a prophylactic player. Once the plans you have prepared have been thwarted a few times, mistakes often creep in.

Of course we do not always make use of prophylactic thinking. It is when the course of the game is very quiet that prophylactic thinking is most useful. In situations in which we have forcing options, we must first of all calculate variations – we are not interested in our opponent’s intentions if we have a forced mate in three moves!

The following games show how and when we should employ prophylactic thinking.

134 134 Prophylactic thinking chapter

A.Yusupov – J.Van der Wiel 12 Lucerne Olympiad 1982 1.c4 ¤f6 2.¤c3 e6 3.e4 d5 An alternative is 3...c5. 4.e5 ¤e4 4...d4 is the main variation. 5.¤f3 5.¤xe4 dxe4 6.£g4 wins the e4-pawn, but Black gets control of the d4-square and develops an initiative. White prefers a quieter set-up. 5...¤c6 6.¥e2 After 6.d4!? Black can reply 6...¥b4. 6...¥e7 7.0–0 7.£c2 is met by 7...¤g5!, as in Seirawan – Christiansen, USA Ch, South Bend 1981. 7...0–0 8.d4 Now White can occupy the centre. 8...b6 9.¥e3 ¤xc3 Diagram 12-1 r Or 9...¥b7 10.cxd5 ¤xc3 (10...exd5 11.¦c1²) 1222222223 11.bxc3 exd5 12.¥d3². Çt+ W Tl+5 10.bxc3 dxc4 10...¥a6!? (Bagirov) ÆOvO VoOo5 11.¥xc4² ¤a5 12.¥d3 ¥b7 Å O +o+ +5 Diagram 12-1 ÄM + P + 5 Black prepares ...c5. Here White has a typical regrouping of his pieces to prepare the attack on the à + P + +5 kingside. Â+ PbBn+ 5 13.¤d2! c5 14.£g4! g6 Áp+ + PpP5 Not 14...cxd4? 15.¥h6±. 15.¤e4 cxd4 ÀR +q+rK 5 If 15...¥xe4? 16.¥xe4 ¦c8, then comes 17.d5±. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 16.cxd4 ¤c6 Diagram 12-2 1222222223Diagram 12-2 r Black probably should have preferred 16...¥xe4 17.¥xe4 ¦c8². Çt+ W Tl+5 With the game move, Black has the tactical ÆOv+ Vo+o5 threat of ...¤xe5. This threat can easily be parried Å Om+o+o+5 if White puts his rook on d1. It is more difficult to do anything against his opponent’s positional idea Ä+ + P + 5 of bringing his knight via b4 to d5. But one logical à + Pn+q+5 move takes into account both ideas. Â+ +bB + 5 17.¦fd1! Why not the other rook? In the variation 17.¦ad1?! Áp+ + PpP5 ¤b4 18.¥h6 (18.¥b1 ¦c8„) 18...¤xd3! 19.¥xf8 ÀR + +rK 5 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 135 12

Positional play 2 † £xf8 20.¦xd3 ¥a6= we can clearly see the difference chapter between the two moves. 17...¤b4 17...¤xd4?? is of course bad, on account of 18.¥xd4 £xd4 19.¤f6†+–. 18.¥h6! ¦e8 18...¤xd3? 19.¥xf8 £xf8 20.¦xd3+– 19.¥b5 ¥c6 20.¥xc6 ¤xc6 1222222223Diagram 12-3 r Diagram 12-3 White can be content. The exchange of bishops was Çt+ Wt+l+5 not bad for him. But it is once more time for some ÆO + Vo+o5 prophylactic thinking. What does his opponent want Å Om+o+oB5 to do here? Probably ...¤b4-d5 again! White can protect the b4-square with a3. But the prophylactic Ä+ + P + 5 move played in the game is much better. à + Pn+q+5 21.¦ab1!± Â+ + + + 5 White develops his rook and aims to bring it into the attack by ¦b3-f3(or h3). At the same time he Áp+ + PpP5 prevents the move ...¤b4. ÀR +r+ K 5 21.£f4 ¤b4 22.¤g5 ¥xg5 23.¥xg5 ¤d5! 24.£h4 £d7 25.£h6 f5 26.exf6² would not be so clear. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 21...£d5? After White has twice thwarted his plans, Black reacts nervously and loses a decisive . 21...¤b4? is followed by 22.¦xb4! ¥xb4 23.¤f6† ¢h8 24.£h4+–. But 21...¦c8± would have been better. 22.£f4+– The threat is ¤f6†. The black must retreat. 22...£d8 23.¦b3 ¦c8 24.h4 Also good is the simpler 24.¦f3 ¦f8 25.¥xf8+–. 24...¦c7 1222222223Diagram 12-4 r 24...¥xh4 is followed by 25.¦f3 (or 25.¤d6!?) 25...¦c7 26.g3+–. Ç + Wt+l+5 Diagram 12-4 ÆO T Vo+o5 25.¦f3 Å Om+o+oB5 As Tal showed me after the game, White has a pretty way to win here: 25.d5!! exd5 26.¦xd5 £xd5 Ä+ + P + 5 27.¤f6† ¥xf6 28.£xf6 £xe5 29.¦e3!+– à + PnQ P5 25...¦f8 Â+r+ + + 5 After this loss of the exchange, the game cannot be saved. But if 25...¥xh4, then simply 26.g3+–. Áp+ + Pp+5 26.¥xf8 £xf8 27.d5! exd5 28.¦xd5 ¤b4 À+ +r+ K 5 28...¤d8+– would have lasted longer. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 29.¦d1 136 Prophylactic thinking chapter

Threatening 30.e6. 12 29...¦c6 30.¤d6 ¤xa2 31.£a4 1–0 The two prophylactic moves 17.¦fd1 and 21.¦ab1 practically decided the game.

A.Yusupov – G.Timoscenko Kislovodsk 1982 1.c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 ¤f6 5.¤c3 ¤c6 6.¤f3 ¥g4 7.cxd5 ¤xd5 8.£b3 ¥xf3 9.gxf3 ¤b6 9...e6 is the main alternative. 10.d5!? ¤d4 11.¥b5†!? White tries to make use of his lead in development. 11.£d1 is also possible. 11...¤d7 11...¤xb5 12.£xb5† £d7 13.£xd7†² 12.£a4 e5? This optimistic move escaped punishment in the game. 12...¤xf3†?! 13.¢f1!± would also have been too risky for Black. The correct choice was 12...¤xb5 13.£xb5, when White’s initiative should compensate for his pawn weaknesses. 13.dxe6 ¤xe6 Diagram 12-5 1222222223Diagram 12-5 r Black wants to play ...a6 and release the . That should encourage White to seek an active Çt+ WlV T5 continuation. ÆOo+m+oOo5 14.¥e3? Å + +m+ +5 14.¥g5!! (Petrosian) would be correct: 14...£xg5 (or 14...¤xg5 15.0–0–0+–) 15.¥xd7† ¢e7 16.¤e4!+– Ä+b+ + + 5 14...a6 15.¥xd7† £xd7 16.£xd7† ¢xd7² Ãq+ + + +5 White wants to exploit the open position of the Â+ N +p+ 5 black king. For that he needs all the central files. 17.0–0!? ¥d6 ÁpP + P P5 Black has two ways to consolidate the position and ÀR B K +r5 bring his king to safety: ...¦ac8 followed by ...¦c6, or ...¦fd8 followed by ...¢e8. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 But it would have been better to begin the first plan with the immediate 17...¦c8!. Then after 18.¦fd1† ¥d6 19.¤e4 ¦c6 20.¦ac1 ¦d8! (20...¦hc8? 21.¤xd6 ¦xc1 22.¥xc1+–) 21.¦xc6 ¢xc6 22.¦c1† ¢b5 23.¤c3† ¢c6 the position remains level.

137 12

Positional play 2 † Diagram 12-6 r Diagram 12-6

chapter 1222222223 18.¤d5! Çt+ + + T5 This move activates the knight and prevents both Æ+o+l+oOo5 defensive ideas. Åo+ Vm+ +5 As we already know, 18.¦fd1 achieves nothing: 18...¦ac8 19.¤e4 ¦c6 20.¦ac1 ¦d8!= Ä+ + + + 5 18...¦ad8 Ã + + + +5 Now Black wants to play ¢c8. Therefore… Â+ N Bp+ 5 19.¦ac1! If 19.¦fd1, then 19...¢c8 20.¥b6 ¦de8=. ÁpP + P P5 19...¤c7 ÀR + +rK 5 19...¢e8 20.¦fd1 is also unpleasant for Black. 20.¤b6† 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 Of course White should keep the pieces on the board. 20...¢e6 21.¦fe1! Not 21.¦fd1, on account of 21...g5! followed by ...f6 and ...¥e5, and Black stabilizes his position. 21...¢f5 22.¦ed1 Threatening 23.¦xd6 ¦xd6 24.¦xc7. 22...¤e6 22...¢e6? allows 23.¦xd6† ¢xd6 24.¥f4†. 23.¦d5† ¢f6 23...¢g6!? is worth considering, or even 23...¥e5!? 24.¤d7 f6=. 24.¦cd1 ¥c7 25.¤d7† ¢e7 1222222223Diagram 12-7 r Diagram 12-7 White retains the initiative. Now he strengthens Ç + T + T5 the pressure on the queenside. Æ+oVnLoOo5 26.b4! Åo+ +m+ +5 If 26.¥c5†? ¤xc5 27.¤xc5, then 27...¦xd5 28.¦xd5 ¦d8 29.¦xd8 ¥xd8 30.¤xb7? ¥b6–+ and Ä+ +r+ + 5 the knight is trapped. Ã + + + +5 26...f6 27.a4 Â+ + Bp+ 5 Intending b5-b6. 27...g5?! ÁpP + P P5 Black wants to control the f4-square, but he À+ +r+ K 5 voluntarily weakens his f6-pawn. 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 27...¦he8!? followed by ...¢f7 was sounder. 28.¥c1!? The bishop wants to go to b2 to attack the f6- pawn. If 28.b5, then 28...axb5 29.axb5 ¦hg8=. A decent alternative is 28.¥d4!? ¤xd4 (28...¦xd7? 29.¦xd7† ¢xd7 30.¥xf6†+–) 29.¦1xd4, although

138 Prophylactic thinking chapter

Black can hold the position after 29...b6 30.¦e4† 12 ¢f7 31.¦c4 ¢e6 32.¤xf6 ¥xh2† 33.¢xh2 ¦xd5=. 28...¤f4?! This move has more drawbacks than pluses. 28...¦hg8! would have been better: 29.b5² 29.¥xf4 ¥xf4? Better is 29...gxf4±. Diagram 12-8 1222222223Diagram 12-8 r 30.¤xf6! This tactical blow brings White a clear advantage. Ç + T + T5 30...¦c8?! Æ+o+nL +o5 Of course not 30...¢xf6? 31.¦xd8+–. Åo+ + O +5 But 30...¦xd5 (or 30...¦d6!?) 31.¤xd5† ¢e6 32.¤xf4† gxf4 33.¦d4± would have been more Ä+ +r+ O 5 resilient. ÃpP + V +5 31.¤h5!? Â+ + +p+ 5 31.¤xh7!? is also possible, but in White chooses a safer continuation. Á + + P P5 31...¥c7 32.¦e1† ¢f7 33.¦d7† ¢g6 34.¤g7!? À+ +r+ K 5 Threatening mate in one. 34...¥d8 7ÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏ9 34...¦hf8 35.¦e6† ¦f6 36.¦xf6† ¢xf6 loses to 37.¦xc7! ¦xc7 38.¤e8†. 35.¦xb7+– White has a large material advantage, which he was able to convert into the full point. Black’s mistake on move 29 was not a matter of mere chance. With his prophylactic decisions on moves 18, 19 and 21, White hindered his opponent’s desired consolidation of the position and developed a dangerous initiative. Mistakes in such situations are almost preprogrammed and prophylactic play provokes them.

“The development of the capacity for prophylactic thinking brings the chess player a powerful step forward and clearly raises his playing strength.” – Mark Dvoretsky

In the test which follows, we shall train this ability. First ask yourself what the other side wants to do, and note that down in your answer. Try to prevent it and, if possible, to improve your own position at the same time.

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